Senator Jeff Irwin

State Senator Jeff Irwin

3 hours ago

Michigan has a problem with hyperpartisanship that makes it harder to stamp out waste or fraud in government. We need a serious and consistent effort to evaluate programs and review audits to ensure that taxpayers are getting the best bang for their buck.

That's why I introduced bipartisan oversight reform last week with Sen Ed McBroom. (link to proposal at the bottom)

Right now, when the party who controls the legislative chamber is the same as the Governor, oversight is not sufficiently aggressive. Many people are reluctant to hold their friends accountable. On the other hand, when the party in control of the legislature is the opposite of the party controlling the governor's office, the oversight function devolves into - or is excused as - partisan sniping.

That's why I've teamed up, year after year, with Sen Ed McBroom (R) to propose a change to Michigan’s Constitution for consideration on next November's general election ballot.

Our proposal is to follow the lead of other states that have bipartisan, bicameral oversight committees. This committee would have a rotating chairperson between the parties and would have equal membership. That means that one side can't bottle up a problem; but, that an affirmative action from the committee requires bipartisan action.

This move would increase the protections for taxpayers’ money and help us transcend the toxic hyperpartisanship by creating one structure in state government that was constitutionally bipartisan. This move increases transparency and accountability.

The resolution: www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SJR-G&QueryID=184253440

Sen McBroom's statutory accompaniment for the constitutional change: www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0734&QueryID=184253474

The press release:
senatedems.com/irwin/2025/12/10/oversight/ ... See MoreSee Less

State Senator Jeff Irwin

3 days ago

This week in Lansing, Republicans voted to cut numerous programs midstream, declaring them all "waste, fraud, and abuse" before later admitting that they were cutting off funding for political leverage, as a "negotiating tactic." They also did this before determining whether there was actually any "waste" or "fraud" and before knowing whether charities, businesses, and local governments had already had spent state money promised to them.

So you can get an idea of what this is about, and why so many people are scrambling to react, here are some of the many specifics.

Republicans cut off funding for child advocacy centers which are places where child victims of sexual abuse are brought to so that they can get access to services and to forensic interviewing which gives them and their families the best chance for justice.

Republicans cut programs to help domestic violence survivors and veterans in shelters.

Republicans cut Wigs for Kids, providing wigs to kids fighting cancer.

Republicans cut funding to help parapros or others working in schools to become certified to teach.

And more.

It was indiscriminate and reckless politics that hurts Michigan. Pettiness and causing chaos to get headlines and leverage is wrong for our future. Let's go after waste, but we really need serious people making these decisions, not people who put partisanship before the public we are supposed to serve. ... See MoreSee Less